Update 4: Joint Chiefs chairman Dunford said that while the strikes sought to minimize risk of Russian casualties, the US did not pre-notify Russia of the Syria strikes; separately Mattis said that double the number of weapons used compared to last year’s Syria strike – when 59 Tomahawk missiles were launched.

More from Dunford:

“We did have some surface-to-air missile activity from the Syrian regime.”

“The US did not pre-notify Russian forces in Syria about tonight’s kinetic activity.”

“Russia was alerted of Syria strikes through “deconfliction” line in Qatar”

“U.S. forces in Syria did make adjustments to force protection levels ahead of the combined air operations against the Syrian regime.”

“This wave of airstrikes is over. More information will follow in the morning.”

“Manned aircraft involved in Syria operation”

“Pentagon will brief tomorrow will more strike details”

And Mattis:

“We used a little over double the number of weapons this year than we used last year…We were very precise and proportionate, but at the same time, it was a heavy strike.”

Update 3: at 10PM ET, Defense Secretary Mattis and Joseph Dunford, the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff provided the Pentagon’s update, repeating that U.S., British and and French forces struck Syrias chemical weapons infrastructure tonight. Mattis said that “Clearly, the Assad regime did not get the message last year. This time, our allies and we have struck harder.”

Defense Sec. Mattis: “Clearly, the Assad regime did not get the message last year. This time, our allies and we have struck harder.” https://abcn.ws/2EKdtUU

Mattis adds that “I want to emphasize these strikes are directed at the Syrian regime. In conducting these strikes, we have gone to great lengths to avoid civilian and foreign casualties.”

Then, Dunford said that the first target was a Syrian research facility, and adds that the US selected targets that would minimize risk to innocent civilians. He adds that attacks on multiple sites of Syria chemical weapons infrastructure “inflicted maximum damage.”

In total, Targets were specially associated with the Syrian regime’s CW program. These included:

BREAKING: Civilian casualties are being reported in Damascus as at least 2 residential areas have been struck by the US-led force’s missiles. At least 4 dead in one of the strikes.

Meanwhile, Reuters adds that a total of three scientific research centers struck in the attack.

According to media reports in addition to American ships, Tomahawk missiles and aircraft – including B-1 bombers, leading the attacks, four British Tornado GR4s have targeted a military facility in Homs with Storm Shadow missiles.

While unconfirmed, Syria state TV claims that it shot down 13 missiles near Damascus.

More details:

CBS News

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“It’s a real cacophony of sounds early this morning,” @sethdoane reports on the ground in Damascus — the only U.S. network journalist inside Syria — as he describes cars blaring music and waving Syrian flags https://cbsn.ws/2GYqiRP

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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CENTER IN JAMRAYA HAS BEEN HIT BY US TOMAHAWK MISSILES

In addition to U.S. Navy warships, U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers also took part in strikes against Assad regime in Syria: officials

Pentagon: There will be a press briefing at 10 p.m. EDT, tonight, April 13, in the Pentagon Briefing Room on operations in Syria.

Update 1: President Trump has now confirmed that in a combined operation with France and UK, a military strike is now under way against Syria…

“A short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad.”

“This massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime.”

“These are not the actions of a man; they are crimes of a monster instead.”

“The combined American, British, and French response to these atrocities will integrate all instruments of our national power, military, economic, and diplomatic.”

“We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents.”

“In 2013, President Putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons.”

“Assad’s recent attack and today’s response are the direct result of Russia’s failure to keep that promise. Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path or if it will join with civilized nations as a force for stability and peace.”

“The United States will be a partner and a friend, but the fate of the region lies in the hands of its own people.”

“Tonight, I ask all Americans to say a prayer for our noble warriors and our allies as they carry out their missions. We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria.”

JUST IN: British Prime Minister May authorizes strikes against Syria: “The fact of this attack should surprise no-one.”

“There is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Regime.” https://abcn.ws/2GWZ6CN

Mr. Trump has threatened military action against Syria for days as retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad on a Damascus suburb last week.

* * *

With two Tomahawk-capable destroyers in The Mediterranean Sea, and following “highly confident” intel that Syria launched the chemical attack, NYTimes reports that President Trump is expected to make a statement about Syria on Friday evening at the White House, an administration official said.

Additionally, Gateway Pundit’s Josh Caplan reports that Vice President Mike Pence was seen “‘rushing back” to his hotel in Peru amid speculation about possible U.S. military action in Syria.

FOX News reports that President Trump has approved military strikes on Syria and is set to announce them within 30 minutes.

Watch Live:

The Donald Cook and The Winston Churchill are capable of carrying up to 150 Tomahawk missiles between them (last April Trump fired 59 Tomahawks into Syria).